DE102009047801A1 - Flow chamber with cell guide - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a flow chamber of a flow cytometer in which marked cells can be detected with high probability with the aid of a corresponding sensor. A medium having magnetically marked cells can flow through the flow chamber and has at least one sensor for cell detection positioned on an inner surface of the flow chamber. Furthermore, a magnetic or magnetizable cell guide device is provided, which is positioned in front of the sensor when viewed in the flow direction and which is arranged and designed such that it guides the flowing, magnetically marked cells directly over the sensor. This ensures that only a small proportion of marked cells pass the sensor outside its range.

Description

The invention relates to a flow chamber of a flow cytometer, in which marked cells can be detected with the aid of a corresponding sensor with high probability.

For a magnetic flow cytometer, marked cells that are to be detected with the aid of appropriate sensors must be transported in a flow chamber near the surface of the sensor. For example. For this purpose GMR sensors (Giant Magneto Resistance) or optical fluorescence or scattered light sensor are used. The proximity of the cell to the sensor is necessary because, for example, in the case of a GMR sensor, the stray magnetic field of the magnetic markers, which is ultimately used for detection by the GMR sensor, drops at the third power to the distance from the sensor. The same applies to optical measuring methods.

To ensure that a marked cell passes the sensor in the immediate vicinity, it is basically conceivable to make the diameter of the channel through which the medium having the marked cells flows as small as possible, ie. H. in extreme cases, the channel diameter is just so large that individual cells can pass. Of course, a problem here is that the presence of contaminants or interfering particles very quickly lead to blockage of the channel. By contrast, if the channel is designed to be larger, the probability that some marked cells pass the sensor outside of its range and thus will not be detected increases. This can be counteracted by the fact that a larger number of sensors is provided, which, however, reflected in a more complex electronics.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a flow chamber in which a high probability is given to detect a marked cell with a sensor of the flow chamber.

This object is achieved by the inventions specified in the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments emerge from the dependent claims.

In the solution according to the invention, a flow chamber for a flow cytometer, which is druchströmbar of a medium having magnetically marked cells and which has at least one positioned on an inner surface of the flow chamber cell detection sensor, equipped with a magnetic or magnetizable Zellleiteinrichtung. This is positioned upstream of the sensor in the direction of flow and arranged and configured there such that it conducts the flowing, magnetically marked cells via the sensor.

• – die Anzahl n der Flussstreifen der Anzahl der Sensoren entspricht,
• – jeweils ein Flussstreifen einem Sensor zugeordnet ist und
• – eine von einem Flussstreifen geleitete magnetisch markierte Zelle über den zugeordneten Sensor geleitet wird.

Advantageously, the cell guiding device is arranged on the inner surface of the flow chamber and has a number n with n ≥ 1 of magnetic or magnetizable and substantially parallel to the flow direction aligned flow strips, wherein

• The number n of the flux strips corresponds to the number of sensors,
• - Each one strip of flux is assigned to a sensor and
• - A guided by a flux strip magnetically marked cell is passed over the associated sensor.

In a first embodiment, a flow strip, as seen in the flow direction, has a continuous, uniform width.

In a second embodiment, a flow strip, viewed in the direction of flow, tapers in particular in a funnel shape or in a semi-funnel shape.

In a third embodiment, as seen in the flow direction, a single, wide flow strip divides into a plurality of narrower, substantially parallel partial flow strips, the number of partial flow strips corresponding to the number of sensors.

In a fourth embodiment, the river strips are arranged like a fishbone.

In an advantageous embodiment, a part of a flow strip, in particular the rear part, viewed in the flow direction, is subdivided into a plurality of successively spaced-apart sections.

In a further advantageous embodiment, a magnet is provided which is arranged on the flow chamber such that an oriented in the direction of the inner surface force is generated on the magnetically marked cells.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the sensor is a GMR snorer.

In a further embodiment, a further magnetic or magnetizable cell guide device is provided, which, as seen in the flow direction, is positioned behind the sensor.

In a method according to the invention, for the detection of magnetically marked cells of a medium flowing through a flow chamber of a flow cytometer with a sensor the flowing, labeled cells are passed over the sensor with a magnetic or magnetizable cell guide positioned in front of the sensor in the direction of flow.

In an advantageous development of the method, a further cell guiding device is used which, viewed in the flow direction, is arranged behind the sensor. The medium is alternately directed across the sensor in a first direction and in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the embodiment described below and from the drawings.

Showing:

1 a flow chamber in cross section,

2 a top view of a first embodiment of the cell guide,

3 a top view of a second embodiment of the cell guide,

4 a plan view of a third embodiment of the cell guide,

5 a plan view of a fourth embodiment of the cell guide,

6 a plan view of a fifth embodiment of the cell guide,

7 a top view of a further embodiment of the cell guide,

8th Top views and side views of three embodiments of the river strips and

9 the principle of cell enrichment.

In the figures, identical or corresponding areas, components, component groups or method steps are identified by the same reference numerals.

The 1 shows a flow chamber 10 a flow cytometer in cross section. A medium 70 containing the magnetically labeled cells to be detected 20 as well as unlabelled cells 30 contains, passes in the flow direction 130 through an opening 40 into the flow chamber 10 , The medium 70 flows through a microfluidic channel 11 the chamber 10 and leaves it after the detection again through another opening 50 , The magnetically labeled cells 20 be with the help of a sensor 60 detected. The sensor 60 For example, it may be a GMR sensor or an optical fluorescent or scattered light sensor. The following is an example of a GMR sensor 60 went out.

Also in the 1 shown is an optional permanent magnet 140 which extends below the microfluidic channel 11 and which generates a magnetic field (not shown). On the one hand, this field has an attractive effect on the magnetically marked cells 20 so that it is ensured that they are near the surface of the sensor 60 stripes. On the other hand, the magnet 140 - Especially in the case of a sensor assumed here 60 GMR type - used to generate the gradient field needed to operate this type of sensor: When the magnetic cells 20 the GMR sensor 60 happen, they affect the magnetic field prevailing at the location of the sensor. This is registered by the GMR sensor and used for detection. Alternatively, instead of the permanent magnet 140 Of course, a corresponding current-carrying coil can be used. In the event that the sensor 60 is an optical fluorescence or scattered light sensor o. Ä., Of course, no magnetic field is required for sensor operation. Nevertheless, a magnet may be provided to ensure, as mentioned, that the labeled cells 20 the sensor 60 happen near the surface.

When sizing the magnet 140 Care must be taken that the strength of the magnetic field is matched to the flow velocity of the medium. If the magnetic field and thus the holding force too strong, so it is not ruled out that the flow is disturbed, since individual cells 20 possibly be held firmly. Conversely, if the magnetic field is too weak, it can be assumed that some of the labeled cells 20 the sensor 60 do not happen within its reach, so they will not be detected.

With the interplay between the strength of the magnetic field of the magnet 140 and the flow generated, for example, by pumps (not shown) 130 or their speed, the holding power for magnetically marked cells 20 can be adjusted specifically to on the one hand cells with low mark density, ie so-called. "false positive" cells to remove and on the other hand only cells with sufficiently strong immunomagnetic marker to the sensor 60 where unbound markers, for example superparamagnetic particles, are not transported to the sensor due to the smaller holding force.

In one in the 1 Not shown enrichment device, which in the 8th can be described in more detail, before the actual detection first an enrichment of the medium 70 take place, ie the enrichment device leaving, enriched medium 70 would about the opening 40 into the flow chamber 10 reach.

According to the invention, the flow chamber 10 a cell guide 120 on. This device 120 causes the at the entrance 40 the flow chamber 10 still stochastically distributed, magnetically labeled cells 20 (see. 2 to 6 ) specifically over the sensor 60 can be directed. This advantageously has the consequence that a much larger number of cells 20 can be detected because significantly fewer cells, for example, laterally on the sensor 60 flow past. It is therefore no longer left to chance, whether a marked cell 20 within reach of the sensor 60 passes and can be detected.

For this purpose, magnetic or magnetizable metal sheets in the flow direction on or in the inner surface 12 the flow chamber 10 arranged, on which also the sensor 60 is arranged. As will be illustrated below with reference to the figures, these metal tracks or "river strips" may, for example, have a constant width, taper in the shape of a funnel or semi-funnel, converge in a fan shape or even be arranged like a herringbone. Other arrangements that also cause the labeled cells 20 over the sensor 60 are naturally also conceivable. Furthermore, the river strips can be designed continuously or discontinuously. The discontinuous design (cf. 8B . 8C ) causes a separation of the cells 20 ie it avoids having multiple cells 20 simultaneously or directly behind one another via the sensor 60 to brush. Because of that, so now single cells 20 over the sensor 60 It is achieved that a single-cell analysis can be carried out more efficiently.

The 2 shows, as well as the 3 . 4 . 5 and 6 , a plan view of the interior of a flow chamber 10 , where for clarity the unlabelled cells 30 are not shown. For the same reason, only a few of the cells are 20 exemplified with reference numerals. The cell guide 120 has four river stripes in this embodiment 121 on, which consist of a magnetic or a magnetizable material. The river strips 121 are arranged parallel to each other and in the flow direction 130 aligned to the medium. The width of the river strips 121 can be essentially the diameter of the cells 20 oriented, but is usually smaller than the width of the sensors 60 ,

• – In einem ersten Bereich I sind die Zellen 20 stochastisch verteilt.
• – In einem zweiten Bereich II richten sich die Zellen 20 an den Flussstreifen 121 aus.
• – In einem dritten Bereich III werden die an den Flussstreifen 121 angeordneten Zellen 20 zu den Sensoren 60 transportiert.
• – In einem vierten Bereich IV findet eine (Einzel-)Zellendetektion statt.

By the interaction between the magnetic cells 20 and the magnetic flux strip 121 will cause the cells 20 while with the medium 70 on the strip 120 flow past, leaving the stochastic distribution and join the strip 121 arrange:

• In a first area I are the cells 20 stochastically distributed.
• - In a second area II, the cells are directed 20 at the river strip 121 out.
• - In a third area III are the at the river strip 121 arranged cells 20 to the sensors 60 transported.
• In a fourth area IV, a (single) cell detection takes place.

The boundaries of the areas I to IV are not sharp, but depending, for example, from the field of the magnet 140 and variable from the flow velocity. Ie. The areas shown in the figures are to be understood by way of example.

Due to the fact that the magnetic gradient at the edge of the respective river stripe 121 is greatest, it is assumed that the cells 20 not in the middle of the respective river strip 121 to arrange, but at the edge.

As seen in the flow direction, it is located behind each river strip 121 , ie in extension of the strip 121 , a sensor 60 so that the labeled and ordered cells 20 with the help of the cell guide 120 specifically over the sensor 60 can be directed. Apart from a few exceptions, not from the magnetic river stripes 121 were detected and therefore not to the sensors 60 can be considered that much of the labeled cells 20 of the medium 70 within reach of the sensors 60 reach, so that with the arrangement according to the invention, a much higher yield can be achieved, which manifests itself, for example, with constant statistics in a shorter measurement time or at a constant measurement time in an improved statistics.

The flux strips may, for example, consist of nickel and be ≤ 10 μm wide and 100-500 nm thick. Thicknesses in the order of 1 micron are also conceivable. The microfluidic channel 11 is typically 100-400 μm wide, 100 μm high and about 1 mm long. The GMR sensors 60 are about 25-30 microns long (in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction 130 ).

The 3 shows a further embodiment of a cell guide 120 , Here, the cell guiding device 120 only a river strip 122 on, but in the flow direction 130 seen tapered until it finally has a width which is approximately the diameter of the cells 20 equivalent. At its wide side, the strip covers 122 the complete width of the flow cell 10 or the microfluidic channel 11 from. This broad area of the strip acts as a kind of collector, with which the cells 20 can be guided on the narrow river strip.

Also in this embodiment, the river strip 122 from a magnetic or a magnetizable material, so that here again the initially stochastically distributed, magnetically marked cells 20 ordered and finally via the sensor 60 can be directed.

The advantage of the arrangement of 3 opposite to that of 2 is, for example, in that here only one sensor 60 is needed. This allows a simplification of the readout electronics.

In a third embodiment of the cell guiding device 120 that in the 4 is shown, this consists of two magnetic or magnetizable flux strips 123 , each in the flow direction 130 seen as a funnel-shaped rejuvenate. As in the other embodiments, here is also each river strip 123 a sensor 60 assigned in the flow direction 130 behind the river strips 123 located and over which the marked cells 20 be directed.

A fourth embodiment is in 5 shown. The river strip shown here 124 is as in the examples of 2 and 3 on the input side, ie in the region I, comparatively wide. The single, wide river strip 124 However, it goes into four sub-river strips 124/1 to 124/4 about, about the cells 20 as in the previous embodiments to the sensors 60 be directed.

The 6 shows a fifth embodiment of the cell guide 120 , Here are the river strips 125 arranged like a herringbone, ie it is on the one hand a central river strip 125/1 provided in its extension to the sensor 60 leads. On the other hand are more river strips 125/2 . 125/3 provided at an angle of, for example, ± 45 ° to the flow direction 130 are arranged so that the magnetically labeled cells 20 first to the central river strip 125/1 and from this via the sensor 60 be directed.

The 7 shows an embodiment that in the arrangement of the river strips 121 in principle, that of 2 equivalent. In contrast to 2 Here, however, seen in the flow direction both in front of and behind the sensors 60 river stripes 121 . 121 ' arranged. In a corresponding detection method would be the medium and thus the labeled cells 20 For example, to improve the statistics alternately in a first flow direction 130 and in the opposite direction 130 ' promoted. The cells 20 Therefore delete several times over the sensors 60 ,

Basically, the embodiment of the 7 with both sides of the sensors 60 Of course, also arranged according to the embodiments of the Zellleiteinrichtungen the 3 to 6 will be realized. Since that's the sensor 60 passing cells 20 but are usually already ordered, that is no longer distributed stochastically, it is usually sufficient, the further Zellleiteinrichtung 120 ' like in the 7 illustrated form. A kind of "collector" like the cell-guiding devices 120 especially the 3 . 4 and 5 in the area I and which primarily serves the stochastically distributed cells 20 leading to the single lanes would only be necessary in the case of the further cell lumen device if it is to be possible, the flow chamber 10 both over the opening 40 as well as over the opening 50 to supply a medium.

The 8A . 8B . 8C show different embodiments of the individual river strips. The figures each show a side view and a plan view of the flux strip with magnetically marked cells arranged thereon 20 ,

The river strip 126 of the 8A is continuous, as well as in the 1 to 7 shown.

In the 8B is a discontinuous river stripe 127 shown. This is in the direction of flow 130 seen front part 127/1 also continuously formed. The back part 127/2 of the river strip 127 However, it is discontinuous, ie the strip is here in several successive sections 127/3 interrupted. As described above, this has an advantageous effect on the possibility of single-cell detection. The length of the individual sections 127/3 may, for example, the width of the strip and / or correspond approximately to the cell diameter.

The river strip 128 of the 8C corresponds essentially to that of 8B ie it is a front, continuous part 128/1 and a rear, discontinuous part 128/2 with individual sections 128/3 intended. In addition, however, is on the sections 128/3 a continuous strip 128/4 applied, the example. Prevents that possibly turbulent components in the flow cells 20 in the areas between the sections 128/3 to get distracted.

In the 9 the principle of enrichment is simplified. It shows the 9A a plan view of the enrichment device 80 while in the 9B and 9C two side views and cross sections at successive times t1, t2 (t2> t1) of the device 80 are shown. Typically, the concentration of magnetically labeled cells 20 in the original medium, for example whole blood, comparatively low. An analysis would be very time-consuming. The original medium, over a canal 100 into the enrichment device 80 is therefore enriched prior to the detection step, wherein the proportion of labeled cells 20 compared to the proportion of unlabelled cells 30 in the medium should be increased.

In the 9 is the so-called. Semikontinuierliche enrichment shown, in which initially at time t1 (see. 9B ) the enrichment step takes place and then at time t2 ( 9C ) the enriched medium is transported to the flow chamber. Subsequently, a re-enrichment would take place (not shown) etc.

For the purpose of enrichment becomes a magnet 90 used, which generates a first magnetic field (not shown) in the order of about 100-1000 mT. This causes the magnetically labeled cells 20 to the side of the canal 100 be pulled on which the magnet 90 is arranged. Accordingly, the concentration of labeled cells 20 on this side of the canal 100 clearly increased. On this side is also another channel 110 provided via the now enriched medium to the flow chamber 10 arrives in the 9 only symbolized. To the magnetically marked cells 20 also in the channel 110 and finally in the flow chamber 10 to hold on the side, on which also the sensor 60 is positioned, is another magnet 91 provided, however, generates a weaker magnetic field than the magnet 90 , for example, in the order of up to 100 mT.

Conceptually, the method that can be carried out using the flow chamber according to the invention can be used, for example, for mammalian cells, microorganisms or magnetic beads. Magnetic flow cytometry may be combined in combination with optical (eg, fluorescence, scattered light) or other non-magnetic detection techniques (eg, radiochemical, electrical) to make in-situ observations or to perform further analyzes.

Claims (12)

Flow chamber for a flow cytometer, which is characterized by a magnetically labeled cell ( 20 ) having medium ( 70 ) is druchströmbar, with - at least one on an inner surface ( 12 ) of the flow chamber ( 10 ) positioned sensor ( 60 ) for cell detection, - a magnetic or magnetizable cell conduction device ( 120 ), in the flow direction ( 130 ) seen in front of the sensor ( 60 ) and which is arranged and configured such that it blocks the flowing, magnetically marked cells ( 20 ) over the sensor ( 60 ). Flow chamber according to claim 1, characterized in that the cell guiding device ( 120 ) on the inner surface ( 12 ) of the flow chamber ( 10 ) and a number n with n ≥ 1 of magnetic or magnetizable and substantially parallel to the flow direction aligned flux strips ( 121 - 128 ), wherein - the number n of the river strips ( 121 - 128 ) the number of sensors ( 60 ), - one river strip each ( 121 - 128 ) a sensor ( 60 ), - one of a river strip ( 121 - 128 ) directed magnetically labeled cell ( 20 ) via the assigned sensor ( 60 ). Flow chamber according to claim 2, characterized in that a flow strip ( 121 ) in the flow direction ( 130 ) has seen a consistently constant width. Flow chamber according to claim 2, characterized in that a flow strip ( 122 . 123 ) in the flow direction ( 130 ) seen tapers, in particular funnel-shaped or semi-funnel-shaped. Flow chamber according to claim 2, characterized in that a single, wide river strip ( 124 ) in the flow direction ( 130 ) seen in several narrower, substantially parallel partial flow strips ( 124/1 - 124/4 ), whereby the number of partial flow strips ( 124/1 - 124/4 ) the number of sensors ( 60 ) corresponds. Flow chamber according to claim 2, characterized in that the flow strips ( 125 ) are arranged like a herringbone. Flow chamber according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that a part ( 127-2 ) of a river strip ( 127 ), in particular the rear part seen in the flow direction ( 127-2 ), in several consecutive and spaced sections ( 127-3 ) is divided. Flow chamber according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a magnet ( 140 ) provided in such a way at the flow chamber ( 10 ) is arranged that one in the direction of the inner surface ( 12 ) oriented force on the magnetically labeled cells ( 20 ) is generated. Flow chamber according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor ( 60 ) is a GMR snorer. Flow chamber according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a further magnetic or magnetizable cell guiding device ( 120 ' ) in the flow direction ( 130 ) seen behind the sensor ( 60 ) is positioned. Method for detecting magnetically labeled cells ( 20 ) of a flow chamber ( 10 ) of a flow cytometer through flowing medium ( 70 ) with a sensor ( 60 ), in which the flowing, labeled cells ( 20 ) with a magnetic or magnetizable cell guiding device ( 120 ), in the flow direction ( 130 ) seen in front of the sensor ( 60 ) is positioned over the sensor ( 60 ). Method according to claim 11, characterized in that a further cell guiding device ( 120 ' ) in the flow direction ( 130 ) seen behind the sensor ( 60 ), the medium ( 70 ) alternately in a first direction ( 130 ) and in a second direction ( 130 ' ), which is opposite to the first direction, via the sensor ( 60 ) flows.

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